Device for handling cement blocks.



R. L. HENSLEY. DEVICE FOR HANDLING CEMENT BLOCKS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR.11,1910. V

Pafiented Nov. 22, 1910.

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REUBEN L. HENSLEY, OF TERRE HAUTE, INDIANA.

DEVICE FOR HANDLING CEMENT BLOCKS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 22, 1910.

Application filed March 11, 1910. Serial No. 548,550.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, REUBEN L. HnNsLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Terre Haute, in the county of Vigo and State of Indiana, iave invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Handling Cement-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to grapples or devices for handling cement building blocks and the invention consists of certain specific novel features of construction hereinafter fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device in operative position; Fig. 2 is a transverse view partly in section on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Throughout the following description and on the several figures of the drawings similar parts are referred to by like reference characters.

This device is intended for handling a. special form of building block having vertical air cavities and also for handling other articles such as well tubing tiling, and the like. The device includes an arch-shaped rib or cross bar 10 made in two parts 10 and 10, the adjacent ends of which are provided with transverse holes adapted to register and through which are passed bolts or screws 11, whereby the breadth or length of the cross bar may be varied according to the various sizes of articles to be handled. This cross bar is substantially rigid and forms the main part of the device. A pair of jaws 12 are pivoted at 12 interi'nediate of their ends to the lower ends of the cross bar members 10 and 10. The lower ends of the jaws terminate in hooks 13 adapted to extend outwardly from each other to engage the building block at the shoulders formed at the lower ends of the air spaces. The upper ends of the aws are formed into handles 1 1 which may extend therefrom at any desired direction, shown as being extended from each other substantially parallel to the hooks 13.

Each aw in addition to the lug 19f is provided with a pair of eyes 15 and 16. Hoisting chains 17 are connected to the eyes 15 to which is connected at their upper ends a swivel 18 of well known construction so that the device when carrying a block may be swung about to any convenient point for the purpose of facilitating the placing of the block. The upper ends of the jaws are drawn normally toward the cross bar 10 by means of a pair of springs 19 connected to the eyes 16 and to the cross bar at 19. By virtue of these springs the grapple will not readily disconnect itself from the block when the chains 17 are slack. The builder however by grasping the handles 14 may spread them apart against the tension of the springs so as to permit the hooks 13 to enter the air spaces of the block and then upon releasing said handles the grapple will be set in proper hoisting position by the springs. As soon as the tube is applied and the chains swiveled to hoist the block the tension thereon will increase the grip of the grapple upon the block by virtue of the rigid nature of the cross bar 10.

The device may be made of any suitable materials and relative proportions and I do not desire therefore to be limited to the exact form shown herein.

I claim 1. The hereindescribed device for handling building blocks comprising, in combination, an arch-shaped cross bar, a pair of vertical jaws pivoted intermediate of their ends to the lower ends of said cross bar, said jaws terminating at their lower ends in oppositely extending hooks, a pair of springs connected to the upper portion of the cross bar and to the upper portions of the jaws tending to normally cause the hooks to spread apart, and hoisting connections connected to 1 the upper ends of said aws, substantially as set forth.

2. In a grapple, the combination of an arch-shaped cross bar, a pair of jaws pivoted intermediate of their ends to the lower ends of said cross bar, said jaws terminating at their lower ends in oppositely extending hooks and their upper ends being formed into oppositely extending handles parallel to said hooks, means connected to the upper portions of the jaws tending to normally draw them toward the upper portion of the cross bar, and power connections including a swivel connected to said jaws.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

REUBEN L. H-ENSLEY.

Witnesses W. O. DOWNING, ARTHUR Z. THOMAS. 

